The Rising Geopolitics of the Cold Waters: Russia’s Arctic Policy

Yıl 2024, Cilt: 13 Sayı: Özel Sayı, 11 - 27, 10.10.2024

Veysel Babahanoğlu

Öz

The Arctic Region is gaining increasing geopolitical significance as a result of melting glaciers due to factors such as global warming and climate change. The opening of new sea routes and the discovery of rich natural resources have made the Arctic a center of international competition. This vast geography is surrounded by states such as Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, Finland, and the USA (Alaska). Among these states, Russia is particularly noteworthy. Russia’s Arctic policy focuses on the utilization of energy and mineral resources, control of new sea routes, and ensuring regional security. Russia considers the rich oil and natural gas reserves in the Barents and Laptev Seas critical for its economy and energy independence. Defining NATO as the primary national security threat in the Arctic, Russia tends to increase its military presence in the region. Through this, it aims to gain a strategic advantage. This study analyzes the geopolitical structure of the Arctic and Russia’s Arctic policy through elements such as energy, military presence, and regional roles. Prepared with qualitative research methods, this study reveals that the strategic and economic importance of the Arctic Region is increasing and that Russia balances the use of energy resources, its military presence, and efforts for international cooperation to protect its interests in the region.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Arctic, Geopolitics, Russia, Energy Resources, Military Presence

Etik Beyan

It is declared that scientific and ethical principles have been followed while carrying out and writing this study and that all the sources used have been properly cited.

Soğuk Suların Yükselen Jeopolitiği: Rusya’nın Arktik Politikası

Öz

Arktik Bölgesi, küresel ısınma ve iklim değişikliği gibi faktörler nedeniyle buzulların erimesi sonucunda giderek artan bir jeopolitik öneme sahip olmaktadır. Yeni deniz yollarının açılması ve zengin doğal kaynakların keşfi, Arktik’i uluslararası rekabetin merkezi haline getirmiştir. Bu geniş coğrafya Kanada, Danimarka (Grönland), İzlanda, Norveç, Rusya, İsveç, Finlandiya ve ABD (Alaska) gibi devletler tarafından çevrelenmektedir. Bu devletler arasında dikkat çekenlerden biri de Rusya’dır. Rusya’nın Arktik politikası enerji ve maden kaynaklarının kullanımına, yeni deniz yollarının kontrolüne ve bölgesel güvenliğin sağlanmasına odaklanmaktadır. Rusya, Barents ve Laptev Denizleri’ndeki zengin petrol ve doğalgaz rezervlerini ekonomisi ve enerji bağımsızlığı açısından kritik görmektedir. NATO’yu Arktik’teki başlıca ulusal güvenlik tehdidi olarak tanımlayan Rusya, bölgedeki askeri varlığını artırma eğilimindedir. Bu sayede stratejik avantaj elde etmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Bu çalışma, Arktik’in jeopolitik yapısını ve Rusya’nın Arktik politikasını enerji, askeri varlık ve bölgesel roller gibi unsurlar üzerinden analiz etmektedir. Nitel araştırma yöntemleriyle hazırlanan bu çalışma, Arktik Bölgesi’nin stratejik ve ekonomik öneminin arttığını ve Rusya’nın bölgedeki çıkarlarını korumak için enerji kaynakları kullanımını, askeri varlığını ve uluslararası işbirliği çabalarını dengelediğini ortaya koymaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Arktik, Jeopolitik, Rusya, Enerji Kaynakları, Askeri Varlık

Etik Beyan

Bu çalışmanın hazırlanma sürecinde bilimsel ve etik ilkelere uyulduğu ve yararlanılan tüm çalışmaların kaynakçada belirtildiği beyan olunur.

Teşekkür

Değerli Editör ekibibe ve hakem hocalara katkılarından ötürü teşekkür ederim.

Kaynakça

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